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Police will not face charges over Leon Briggs death

Bedfordshire police will not face criminal charges in relation to the death of Leon Briggs in November 2013.

The 39-year-old was restrained by officers at Luton police station while being held under the Mental Health Act. He later became ill and died in hospital.

His mother said she is "devastated" no charges will be brought.

"After almost five long years I am no closer to finding out what happened to Leon or to getting some accountability for his death."

– Margaret Briggs, Leon's mother

Five officers and one member of Bedfordshire Police were investigated.

And The Crown Prosecution Service had considered corporate manslaughter charges against the force itself.

However, the CPS said there was not enough evidence to bring a prosecution. They had already dismissed charges against one officer earlier this year.

Leon's mother Margaret Briggs said she's been left devastated by the decision:

“After almost five long years I am no closer to finding out what happened to Leon or to getting some accountability for his death. My son was struggling with his mental health, that struggle should not have resulted in his death at the hands of Bedfordshire Police.
“My one hope is that the inquest into Leon’s death can start as soon as possible. I am desperate for some answers and hopefully, in time, some closure.”

– Margaret Briggs

Jocelyn Cockburn of London solicitors, Hodge Jones & Allen represents Mrs Briggs. She was also critical of the decision:

“No mother should have to wait five years to find out what led to the death of her son. In order for her to have had any confidence in the investigation, it needed to be open and transparent, which this was not. However, that is exactly what the inquest process must achieve. I hope that the Coroner will now resume the inquest into Leon’s death allowing a public examination of the facts.

– Jocelyn Cockburn

Bedfordshire Police issued this statement over the decision of the CPS

"The CPS announced it would be taking no further action against any
officer in relation to the death of Mr Briggs in November 2013.

" Mr Briggs died in hospital after being detained at Luton Police
Station. Today's announcement was in relation to five officers - a
further officer had already been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing in
March and a detention officer was cleared in 2014.

Bedfordshire Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: "We are aware of the
CPS decision not to bring any criminal charges against any of the
officers involved in this case.

"It has taken almost five years to reach this position and that is
simply unacceptable for all concerned. This long overdue decision will
no doubt bring painful memories for Mr Briggs' family and friends and
they should always remain in our thoughts. It is, to say the least,
disappointing that the investigation by the Independent Police
Complaints Commission (IPCC) took the time that it did to get to this
point. I have dealt with many complex matters that can understandably
take some time to investigate especially with the need to recover
evidence and to identify witnesses particularly when a matter is
complicated. However this tragic death is not such a case.

"All of the people around the event were identified immediately and
much of the activity was captured on CCTV. How on earth has this taken
so long? The time taken has put added strain on Mr Briggs' family,
and, please let us not forget, the officers involved. I am hoping
significant lessons are learned from this by the Independent Office
for Police Conduct (the successor to the IPCC).

"Bedfordshire Police continues to look at how we can improve our
knowledge of and response to dealing with vulnerable people. As more
police demand than ever is linked to mental health challenges in
society I am determined, as are all chief constables, to make sure we
learn the lessons of incidents such as this. I am also clear that the
officers involved are not forgotten. We cannot have officers suspended
for five years or more when the circumstances of an event are not
complex.

"This case is an example of why processes need to improve in the
interests of those who believe the police have acted criminally and
for the officers themselves."